May 2012
- The next step is Federal Railroad Administration approval of the preliminary engineering initiation package. Once that is approved, preliminary engineering and environmental work can officially begin.
Why is WSDOT
building new siding track in the Kalama rail yard?
This project will upgrade approximately 3.8 miles of railroad siding track near the Port of Kalama.
New and upgraded siding track will allow freight trains to move on and off the main line tracks at higher speeds - resulting in fewer delays to Amtrak Cascades passenger trains.
The End Result
Reduced congestion and reduced passenger/freight rail conflicts improves reliability for both, allowing for better movement of people and goods through the corridor.
Washington benefits from critical infrastructure investments that improve mobility in congested areas along the corridor, create and preserve jobs, foster economic growth, and improve air quality across our state.
Project Benefits
- New dispatcher controlled siding to accomodate arrival and departure of unit and freight trains clear of the existing two-track main line;
- Allows passenger and freight trains to move around trains traveling into and out of the Port of Kalama;
- Improves passenger train reliability and accommodates increases in passenger train frequency.
What is the project timeline?
A project schedule will be developed once the results of the BNSF modeling work are accepted by WSDOT.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) - $35.6 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Melanie Coon, Communications Manager
WSDOT Cascades High Speed Rail Program
PO Box 47407
Olympia, WA 98504-7407
Phone: 360-705-7905
E-mail: coonm@wsdot.wa.gov
back to top